Collectors & Explorers

The 8th Lord Howard de Walden

Italian Russet Half Armour

Period:

16th Century

Description:

This was infantry parade armour but would also have been used in a kind of tournament which was fought on foot over a barrier using blunt spears and swords. When worn for tournaments a close helmet would have been used instead of the open morion.

This half armour consists of an open-faced helmet, cuirass (breast and back plates), thigh defences (tassets) and complete arm defences. The gorget and gauntlets are missing. There is a castle etched on the breastplate just below the neck, it is probably the mark of a Milanese armourer. This kind of open-faced helmet was known as a 'Spanish morion'.